CHAPTER 4

[Light]

You must accompany me now to the royal office. -the gentle guard guides me awakening from the brief distraction in which I find myself, as I admire the delicate details of the part of the castle in which I find myself dazzled.

The truth is, I feel a little confused and extremely nervous about being in a place as luxurious and far from my reality as this. Since I've never, in all my life, set foot in the castle, I've just admired its beautiful and sumptuous façade from afar over the years, so I need to distract my mind with any banality, whether it's futile or not, to be able to calm the erratic beats of my heart and not end up fainting.

What am I, a simple city midwife, doing here? What could anyone royalty want with me? Did the news of the birth of the future heir of the Duchy of Barnes had reached the ears of the nobles, and for this reason was being asked to perform another of my services?

Miss? -the guard calls me from the world of ramblings and I blush ashamed to have left him unanswered.

Oh, of course, yes, sir. -I feel in agreement following him along the indicated path, twisting the tip of the gloves in my hands, afraid at every step taken by my shaky legs.

The royal family is waiting for you, Miss Luz. -he says as we stop in front of huge double doors that I don't have time to repair, due to the shock that the information I've just received brings me.

What's going on? What do you mean, the royal family... ...desperately indago to a foot of the feeling of despair.

I'm going to announce your presence to the sovereigns. - he interrupts my panic demonstration and knocks on the door.

I almost step forward and beg you not to do that, however I hold the impulse when suddenly the door of the place is opened and I am practically pushed as a mere spectator outside her own body, into the totally surreal and intimidating environment, by the hand of the guard resting on my back, which soon disappears from sight when closing the doors again, precing myself from the inside.

Is that her? Is that the girl, Francesca? -Frederick, the crown prince, the first in line to the throne, directs the question to Princess Francesca, her younger sister, who is sitting on a couch a few meters from where I'm still made the marble statues that adorn the castle gardens.

Then I belatedly realize the crucial mistake I am making under the observation of the four most powerful pairs of eyes in the Kingdom, and the lack of manners and etiquette that they must be right now thinking I possess, and in how I should lack a decent education. That's why I rush to fix the mistake quickly, which makes me look more clumsy than I'd like.

Your Majesty, Your Highness. -I bend my knees in a quick and efficient reverence in the direction of each of them according to their titles.

Miss, please sit down. The subject we have to deal with will be somewhat complex and extensive for you to remain standing. -the king, who is sitting behind a large mahogany table, indicates the armchair next to his desk so that I sit down and I do it immediately.

Do you like tea and cookies, Miss Luz? -the princess herself serves me on a silver platter, but I am obliged to refuse her generous offer.

My stomach is not so strong at this minute to bear to receive any kind of food in the state of mind I find myself in. I can put everything out on the expensive carpet on my feet in a matter of seconds. The best option is not to risk it.

No, but I appreciate the kindness princess. -I respond with a pang of fear that my refusal might offend her, however she does not show to be shaken.

Look, she talks! -Prince Frederick comments as he sits so whistled next to Brother Philip, and I frown without understanding his sentence.

I'm sorry, i'm sorry. - nervous pygmy when you ask.

Ignore him, miss. -Prince Philip intervenes by placing himself in front of the eldest.

Let's cut to the chase, Miss Luz.

King Ferdinandsays with the serious countenance and I almost get to hold my breath by the size of the tension that hangs in the air.

-Everything that is treated and discussed in this office is completely confidential and confidential, not being able to leave the environment of these four walls under any circumstances, am I being clear?

Totally, sir. -I claim by shaking my head positively up and down with my eyes fixed on yours.

All right, i'm going to get you out So now that we have an agreement, I can proceed with the guarantee that no information will be transmitted or leaked to anyone other than those present here at this time.

Fully agree, Your Majesty. - I say it safely.

-Miss Luz, what I as your king and sovereign, as a father, and my children as my family, we have to propose to you at this moment, will sound to your young and inexperienced ears as something bold, or even perhaps somewhat absurd. But understand that all possible alternatives were explored for the solution of this case, however none was efficient enough to contain damage. This was the only reasonable way out we could find to solve the problem.

King Ferdinand says with difficulty, every word thought and articulated carefully not to express how such a conflict, which I still do not know, affects him.

What great misfortune is this, my king? And in which a person of simple character like me, can be of service to them? - I ask worried about helping me in any way I can.

If the royal family needs my services, then I will do anything in my power to help it, for few people in our land and in the vicinity have the pride and spite to affirm how good and just their rulers are to their subjects as our people have.

Tell me, Your Majesty! What i can do and I'll do it.